🇨🇻→🇸🇹Cabo Verde→São Tomé and Príncipe

60 daysmultiple entry7d processingonline

For family members joining a foreign national or citizen legally resident in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Legal basis: Artigo 39.º, Lei 5/2008; eCidadão residence category 'Reagrupamento Familiar'. Granted where a resident's family member seeks to join them. Residence visa valid for two entries and 2 months' stay to obtain the residence certificate. Requires proof of family relationship, criminal-record certificate, proof of housing and means of subsistence (min. €100/day). Fees not published online; paid at border or by bank transfer to SMF's BISTP account.

60 daysmultiple entry7d processingonline

For foreign nationals admitted for studies, a secondary-school student-exchange programme, a professional internship, or volunteering.

Legal basis: Artigo 38.º, Lei 5/2008; eCidadão residence category 'Estudo, Intercâmbio de Estudantes e Estágio Profissional' (also covers voluntariado/volunteering). Residence visa valid for two entries and 2 months' stay to obtain the residence certificate. Requires proof of enrolment/acceptance, criminal-record certificate, proof of housing and means of subsistence (min. €100/day). Fees not published online; paid at border or by bank transfer to SMF's BISTP account.

60 daysmultiple entry7d processingonline

For researchers and highly-qualified professionals coming to carry out scientific research or a highly-qualified activity in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Legal basis: Artigo 37.º, Lei 5/2008. Residence visa for foreigners engaged in scientific research or a highly-qualified activity. Statutory category defined in the Regime Jurídico; not separately listed in the eCidadão online category menu (apply under the residence-authorisation flow). Residence visa valid for two entries and 2 months' stay to obtain the residence certificate. Fees not published online.

60 daysmultiple entry7d processingonline

For foreign nationals establishing self-employment, a business, or an investment operation in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Legal basis: Artigo 36.º, Lei 5/2008; eCidadão residence category 'Actividade Profissional Independente'. Granted to a foreigner who has carried out an investment operation or will exercise an independent professional activity. Residence visa valid for two entries and 2 months' stay to obtain the residence certificate. Distinct from the citizenship-by-investment programme (tracked under cbi). Fees not published online; paid at border or by bank transfer to SMF's BISTP account.

60 daysmultiple entry7d processingonline

For foreign nationals coming to work under an employment contract for an employer in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Legal basis: Artigo 35.º, Lei 5/2008; eCidadão residence category 'Actividade Profissional Subordinada'. Residence visa valid for two entries and 2 months' stay to obtain the residence certificate that then authorises the work stay. Requires an employment contract, criminal-record certificate, proof of housing and means of subsistence (min. €100/day). Fees not published online; paid at border or by bank transfer to SMF's BISTP account.

multiple entryfree

Visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic and service passports from CPLP member states and countries with bilateral diplomatic agreements.

Presidential Decree n. 21/2002 (20 December 2002) ratifies CPLP agreement suppressing visas for diplomatic and service passports among CPLP member states (Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Timor-Leste). China diplomatic, service, and public-affairs passport holders also receive 30-day visa-free entry under bilateral agreement (Decree n. 09/2017, in force 2018-02-03). South Africa diplomatic/service passport agreement was approved November 2024. Duration for CPLP diplomatic/service passports not specified in available official sources.

60 daysmultiple entry7d processingonline

Authorizes a foreign national to enter São Tomé and Príncipe in order to apply for a residence certificate (certificado de residência); the umbrella category covering all long-stay purposes.

Legal basis: Artigo 33.º, Lei 5/2008. The residence visa is valid for two entries and lets the holder remain 2 months (60 days) in order to request the residence certificate that governs the long-term stay. It may be granted for dependent work, independent work, family reunification, study, volunteering, professional training, research activity, or highly-qualified activity (specific sub-categories are covered by their own entries below). Applied online via the SMF eCidadão system (Autorização para Fixação de Residência). Documents: travel document valid 1+ year, criminal-record certificate, proof of adequate housing, means of subsistence (min. €100/day). Fees not published online; paid at border or by bank transfer to SMF's BISTP account. General enquiries: (+239) 2222098 or direccaosmf@gmail.com.